Jurgen Klopp plans to offer first-team chance to loaned out defender Conor Bradley
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that he will offer Conor Bradley a chance in the first team upon his participation in the upcoming pre-season.
Bradley, who went on a season-long loan to Bolton Wanderers last summer, is having an excellent season in League One and has impressed the Reds boss.
The Northern Ireland international has made 39 league appearances, scoring five goals and assisting five (Transfermarkt). He has played most of his games as a right wing-back, with more focus on going forward and creating chances.
Here’s what Klopp said about tracking the performances of the 19-year-old and handing him opportunities in the pre-season (h/t Independent):
“We are in constant contact. Pep Lijnders created a group with our on-loan players – a WhatsApp group – and we are watching really closely what he is doing. It is great, obviously.
“I am not sure if he will become player of the season (at Bolton) but for sure he is a contender for that, which is absolutely great.
“Our plans are, bring him back, go in the pre-season and then enjoy the steps he made, then we will decide together what we are doing from that moment on. The plans are in the moment, bring him back and keep him, but we will see.”
Bradley is still a young player, who has already taken positive steps towards his development as a first-team player for a Premier League club.
Having already made his international debut, the 19-year-old has garnered experience at that level too, along with what he is collecting playing for Bolton.
Liverpool signed Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen last summer, presumably to add competition to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s right-back spot.
The Scotsman struggled to have any impact though as he was pegged back through injuries many times. Eventually, his season was over prematurely in February when it was announced that he needed to undergo surgery.
We may expect him to be back for the pre-season as well. After seeing how well Bradley has done for Bolton, and having a quality player like Ramsay back in the fold, which way would Klopp twist about picking a backup right-back to support Alexander-Arnold next season?
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We know the German likes to give players opportunities based on what they do in the pre-season. Hence, this little debate might get solved once he sees which player is more suited to his style of play going forward.
